First Covenant Church

What First Covenant Church does

First Covenant Church of Saint Paul is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit religious organization and member congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), operating from a single facility at 1280 Arcade Street on the East Side of Saint Paul, Minnesota. The church delivers weekly worship services both in-person (Sundays 9:30am) and via YouTube livestream, alongside age-segmented ministry programs covering children (birth through 5th grade), youth (6th–12th grade), young adults (18–34), adults, and worship & arts. Beyond worship, the church runs three substantive community service programs: the Fruit of the Vine Food Shelf serving approximately 188 households monthly, a free K–5 after-school program operated with Family Values for Life, and Jonathan House, a partnership with the International Association For Refugees (IAFR) initiated in October 2017 that provides housing for male asylum seekers from the Middle East and Africa.

The church is funded entirely through voluntary donations across eight distinct giving channels: recurring tithes and offerings, online and mobile giving via Vanco (2.75% credit-card fee), mail-in donations, a monthly benevolent fund, direct stock transfers, planned/legacy giving through Covenant Trust Company, and memorial gifts. Operations are supported by a staff of approximately 35 ministry and administrative personnel, with an active Leadership Team and a separately constituted Pastor Search Committee (formed May 13, 2025) conducting a Lead Pastor search as of September 2025 following the departure of the previous lead pastor.

The technical infrastructure is entirely composed of commodity third-party SaaS: a Clover Sites website, YouTube livestreaming (channel UC1o-NU3PdJml4aOmNENzjWQ, archives from 2020 onward), Vanco Online giving, Church Center for event registration, and SignUpGenius for volunteer coordination. No proprietary technology, no AI/ML capabilities, and no APIs are disclosed. The church shares its physical facility with four partner congregations (Community Bible Study, La Iglesia St Paul, Followers of Christ Hmong Baptist Church, Haitian Christian Fellowship) staggered across Sunday time slots, and operates additional mission partnerships spanning DRC, Mexico, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Bosnia.

Name

First Covenant Church

Legal name

First Covenant Church of Saint Paul

Website

https://first-covenant.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Covenant Church of Saint Paul is a nonprofit congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church offering weekly worship, age-segmented ministries, and community programs including a food shelf, after-school program, and asylum-seeker housing, funded by voluntary donations and operated by ~35 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Religious services
• Worship programs
• Community outreach
• Faith formation
• Youth ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Weekly monetary contributions from congregation members during worship services, supporting church operations, missions, and community programs
2. Online Giving: Credit/debit card and direct bank deposit gifts through Vanco Online platform. 2.75% fee on credit card gifts; bank transfers have no fee.
3. Mail Donations: Cash or check donations mailed to church address
4. Mobile App Giving: Giving through Vanco app available on Google Play and Apple App Store
5. Benevolent Fund: Special retiring offering on first Sunday of each month for community members in crisis and extreme need
6. Stock Donations: Direct donation of stock or mutual funds through church's broker account
7. Legacy/Planned Giving: Charitable impact after death through Covenant Trust Company, a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church
8. Memorial Fund Gifts: Donations commemorating loved ones while supporting church mission and vision

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

First Covenant Church of Saint Paul is a nonprofit religious organization that provides weekly Christian worship services (in-person and livestreamed), age-specific faith formation ministries (Children, Youth, Young Adults, Adults), pastoral care, and community outreach programs including a food shelf, after-school program, and asylum seeker housing. The church operates as a member congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) and the Northwest Conference, with active global missions partnerships and community service initiatives serving Saint Paul's East Side.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly Christian worship services held in-person at the Saint Paul sanctuary at 9:30am Sundays and livestreamed globally via YouTube. Includes communion, music, and sermon ministry for congregation members and visitors.
• Children's Ministry Faith formation programs for children from birth through 5th grade including Children's Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Craft & Sing activities. Designed for families seeking safe environments and faith foundation building for their children.
• Youth Ministry Faith formation and community programs for middle and high school students (6th-12th grade), including Youth Sunday School, McVay Youth Programming with Hamline University, Wednesday youth group, confirmation classes, summer trips, and camp experiences.
• Young Adults Ministry Monthly gatherings for young adults (ages 18-34) focused on fellowship, faith discussions, and community building during the transition from youth to adult faith life.
• Adult Ministries Adult faith formation offerings including Acts Bible Study, connection groups, retreats, and all-church retreat for ongoing spiritual growth, fellowship, and service opportunities.
• Worship & Arts Ministry Music ensembles, worship leadership, and artistic ministry supporting weekly worship services and special events.
• After School Program Free after-school program for K-5th graders in partnership with Family Values for Life, offering literacy support, arts, sports, and STEM activities at the First Covenant campus.
• Fruit of the Vine Food Shelf Food distribution program serving approximately 188 households monthly on Tuesdays 3-6pm and Saturdays 9am-12pm. Open to East Saint Paul community members experiencing food insecurity.
• Jonathan House (Asylum Seeker Housing) Housing program in the former parsonage providing temporary residence for male asylum seekers from the Middle East and Africa, in partnership with the International Association For Refugees (IAFR). Includes monthly community brunches connecting residents with volunteers.
• Team World Vision Running Program Congregation members participate in Twin Cities Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and Global 6K for Water events to raise funds for clean water development in Gemena, Democratic Republic of Congo, with over $200,000 raised to date.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 children sponsored through Covenant Kids Congo providing community development in DRC
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Association For Refugees (IAFR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2017IAFR provides housing, support, and community for asylum seekers. First Covenant provides its former parsonage as Eastside Jonathan House for male asylum seekers. Partnership began October 2017. Second Jonathan House in Frogtown sponsored by St. Stephanus Lutheran Church.
• Covenant World Relief and Development (CWRD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCWRD is the humanitarian aid ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. First Covenant participates annually in fundraising for CWRD disaster relief and community development projects worldwide. Projects include hunger/nutrition, clean water, education, disaster relief, refugee care, microenterprise, and human trafficking prevention. 100% of gifts go to CWRD with at least 90% going directly to ministry projects.
• Team World VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Covenant runners participate in Twin Cities Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and Global 6K for Water events to raise funds for clean water development in Gemena, DRC. Over $200,000 has been raised to date for sustainable water initiatives.
• Covenant Kids CongocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChild sponsorship ministry of ECC and World Vision. First Covenant members sponsor children in Gemena, DRC, with funds impacting both the child and community through infrastructure for clean water, health, agriculture, education, and economic development. Over 40 children sponsored to date.
• Karl and Sue Peterson (Covenant Missionaries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCovenant missionaries serving in Mexico City, Mexico. Developing teams to lead congregational vitality, contextualizing spiritual direction resources, and leading pastor retreats.
• James Tang (Covenant Missionary)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCovenant missionary serving in South Sudan and Ethiopia. Supports mission work and humanitarian efforts in these regions.
• Elisa Walt (IAFR Missionary)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMissionary serving in Sarajevo, Bosnia with International Association For Refugees (IAFR), providing support and ministry to refugees.
• Family Values for Life (FVFL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFVFL focuses on four pillars: Physical Fitness, Spiritual Empowerment, Mental Alertness, and Financial Stability. They manage the Fruit of the Vine Food Shelf, co-coordinate the After School Program with FCC, and provide community events. Offices located at First Covenant.
• Covenant Pines Bible CampcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBible camp in McGregor, MN owned by Twin Cities Covenant Churches. First Covenant has a rich tradition of sending children and youth to summer camp for over 60 years. Camp provides safe, fun environment for spiritual growth. Church commits that every camper can attend regardless of financial situation.
• McVay Youth Partnership (Hamline University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Hamline University's McVay Youth Programming provides safe, fun, free after-school programming for 6th-12th graders. Meets at First Covenant on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Includes art, music, drama, and homework help. Transportation provided.
• Fruit of the Vine Food ShelfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry of Family Values for Life, La Iglesia St. Paul, and First Covenant Church. Provides food and crisis assistance to community members. Open Tuesdays 3-6pm and Saturdays 9am-12pm. Designed to relieve immediate stress and help build stability.
• Community Bible StudyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterdenominational Bible study meeting Thursday mornings 9:15-11:15am (September-May). Welcomes people from all backgrounds and levels of Bible knowledge. Has been helping people grow in knowledge and love of Jesus Christ for over 25 years.
• Followers of Christ Hmong Baptist ChurchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorships Sundays at 1:00pm sharing FCC's building. A place for Hmong families to worship, connect, and be challenged by biblical messages addressing everyday problems. Glorifies God by making disciples from all nations.
• Haitian Christian FellowshipminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorships Sundays at 5:00pm sharing FCC's building. Formed in 1995 under Pastor Lidovick Pierre. Worship in French, Creole, and English with translation provided. Part of Bethel Christian Fellowship family of churches.
• La Iglesia St. PaulminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpanish-speaking congregation affiliated with Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Meets Sundays at 12:00pm sharing FCC's building. Offers Bible study, youth group, and other faith formation meetings throughout the week.
• Jonathan HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing for male asylum seekers provided by First Covenant through IAFR partnership. Men from Middle East and Africa have found temporary residence here since Fall 2017. Community brunches held monthly to connect residents with volunteers.
• Urban RootsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Covenant hosts one of Urban Roots' six urban gardens on the East Side. Youth interns plant, maintain, and harvest crops for CSA shares, Farmers Market, and hunger relief efforts. Program cultivates youth through nature, healthy food, and community.
• Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with FCC and Family Values for Life to provide VBS-like camp for children from neighborhood and churches. Shares space, leadership, and planning for children's programming.
• Northwest Conference (ECC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Covenant is a member of the Northwest Conference, a mission region of the Evangelical Covenant Church comprising approximately 140 churches in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Supported by five Bible camps and Minnehaha Academy.
• Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborhood schools (PreK-4 and 5-8 campuses) partnered with FCC for After School Program, service projects, and neighborhood events. Located across the street from church.
• Johnson Senior High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborhood high school (9-12 grades) partnered with FCC for service projects and neighborhood events. Located down the block from church.
• Minnehaha AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-K through 12th grade school on two campuses in Minneapolis. Ministry of Northwest Conference of Evangelical Covenant Churches serving nearly 900 students. Integrates Christian faith and learning.
• North Park University and SeminaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church. Located on Chicago's north side enrolling 3,200 students. Combines liberal arts tradition with Christian faith and innovation.
• Roots Moravian ChurchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChurch plant in Hamline-Midway area of Saint Paul. First Covenant is a parent church to this church plant that has been meeting since 2014. Emphasizes community over building, seeking God and experiencing new life in Jesus.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Minnehaha Academy: PreK-12 Christian school operated by the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Comparable as an ECC-affiliated ministry organization serving the same Minnesota region with similar faith-based governance and donor-base structure.
• Covenant Pines Bible Camp: Bible camp owned by the Twin Cities Covenant Churches that FCC has partnered with for over 60 years. Comparable as an ECC-affiliated nonprofit ministry in Minnesota with a shared donor base and seasonal/volunteer-driven revenue model.
• The Salvation Army Twin Cities: National faith-based nonprofit operating food shelves, housing, and family services in the Twin Cities. Comparable to FCC's community-services portfolio (food shelf, asylum support, after-school) and shares the donation-dependent revenue model.
• World Vision: Large Christian humanitarian organization and First Covenant's partner for Covenant Kids Congo and Team World Vision. Comparable as a faith-based organization running child sponsorship and clean-water fundraising, though at much greater scale and geographic reach.
• Catholic Charities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis: Faith-based social-services organization serving the Twin Cities with food, housing, and refugee programs. Comparable to FCC's Fruit of the Vine Food Shelf and Jonathan House operations as a faith-rooted community-services provider in the same geography.

Direct peers

• Followers of Christ Hmong Baptist Church: Hmong Baptist congregation sharing First Covenant's building for Sunday afternoon worship. Comparable as a small ethnic congregation in Saint Paul with shared-facility dependence and community-focused ministry.
• Haitian Christian Fellowship: Congregation sharing First Covenant's building since 1995 under Bethel Christian Fellowship, conducting services in French, Creole, and English. Comparable as a small immigrant-led congregation with multilingual worship and shared-facility operating model.
• La Iglesia St Paul: Spanish-speaking Vineyard-affiliated congregation that shares First Covenant's building and Sunday schedule. Directly comparable as a small Twin Cities congregation sharing facility resources and operating with a similar small-staff, community-outreach model.
• Roots Moravian Church: Saint Paul church plant for which First Covenant serves as parent church. Directly comparable as a small new congregation in the Hamline-Midway area, sharing governance DNA with FCC and operating with similar small-staff, volunteer-driven economics.

Others

• North Park University: Liberal-arts university and seminary founded by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1891. Comparable as an ECC-affiliated nonprofit ministry organization operating in the Upper Midwest with shared denominational identity and donor pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1o-NU3PdJml4aOmNENzjWQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/FirstCovenantStPaul
• Instagraminstagram.com/firstcovenantyouth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-covenant-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Covenant Church